Thousands of French people protested in Paris against Le Pen’s far-right forces, chanting “Resistance” and “They will not pass”.

Four days before the second round of legislative elections in France, the iconic Place de la République in Paris has once again become the scene of a huge rally for the “Democratic Front against the Extreme Right”. The French capital is not so much a thermometer of the vote across the country but rather an expression of the front against the extreme right represented by Marine Le Pen and her National Rally, which is supporting the French government.

Thousands of people have gathered at the site following a call launched by unions (such as the CGT, the FSU, Unef, Solidaires or the Peasants’ Confederation), independent media such as Mediapart, as well as organisations and civil movements such as the Human Rights League, Attac, SOS Racism.

Following the National Group’s victory in the first round on Sunday, organisers denounced the Ultra party’s “project” as “based on inequality, discrimination, racism and anti-Semitism, which tramples on the values ​​of the Republic.” They say in a statement, “It threatens our democracy.”

“Because of our freedom, our humanity, our society, our economy, everything can change. Let’s form a democratic front,” said one of the spokesmen, microphone in hand. The attendees cheered when he mentioned the possibility of the National Group coming to power. “Voting is essential,” said another spokesman on a stage set up beneath a monument to the Republic covered in graffiti calling for voting for the New Popular Front and protesting the Israeli assault on Gaza.

“To vote against the extreme right,” says a singer who brings the call to life. French economist Julia Cagé is applauded like a rock star when she speaks. “On Sunday night I cried,” she says, in a speech in which she talks about the responsibility of the left and calls on Marine Le Pen’s party to stop. Many attendees held yellow signs distributed by SOS Racismo that read: “Don’t touch my friend.”

A few meters away from the street vendors cooking dogs and sausages, the crowd erupts in applause when acclaimed author and Nobel Prize winner Annie Ernaux intervenes via video. “The election by which our descendants will judge us is getting closer, it’s already here, it’s next Sunday,” she says. “The National Group must be stopped. There must be a majority that votes for candidates who oppose them. And then? Then we must continue fighting together for social justice.”